I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

NEAL BLACK , Texas Blues Rock, Roots guitarist /vocalist/ songwriter has spent the last 30 years electrifying audiences around the world with his fusion of Blues , Rock , Jazz, Country ..
Referred to by one critic as " THE MASTER OF HIGH VOLTAGE TEXAS BOOGIE "
ROLLING STONE MUSIC CRITICS gave 4 STAR reviews to NEAL BLACK's first 2 Albums , and "THE NEW YORK FREE PRESS" wrote " NEAL BLACK is one of the most important Blues songwriters /performers on the scene today".
NEAL BLACK has recorded 7 Albums for DIXIEFROG Records (Europe) , his most recent Album released March 2011" SOMETIMES THE TRUTH " was Number 1 on the France Blues Radio Airplay Charts ..
NEAL BLACK has been with Dixiefrog records for 18 years (longer than any other Artist on the Label ). In the U.S.A his records have been released on the FLYING FISH/DELUGE Records ,SOUL COBRA MUSIC , ALLEGRO distribution , and HARMONIA MUNDI distribution ...
NEAL BLACK is also featured on POLYGRAM RECORDS Compilation " BLUES STORY" where he appears on 4 Volumes of the Compilation series with legendary Blues artists like; MUDDY WATERS, FREDDY KING, ROY BUCHANAN, CHUCK BERRY , BO DIDDLEY , LUCKY PETERSON and others..
In May 2005 NEAL BLACK was nominated in France /Europe for the The Trophee du Blues as "Best Modern Electric Blues Guitarist "
In April 2007, NEAL BLACK's Album " HANDFUL OF RAIN" was NUMBER ONE on the France Blues Radio Airplay Charts..
NEAL BLACK's guitarist credits include performances on stage or in the studio with Blues /Rock legends like ; JIMMY DAWKINS , POPA CHUBBY ,CHUCK BERRY , LUCKY PETERSON , JOHNNIE JOHNSON , THE CHAMBERS BROTHERS , PAPA JOHN CREACH , JOHN SEBASTIAN(ex- Doors , Lovin Spoonful) , DAN BAIRD ( ex-Georgia Sattelites), JIMMY VIVINO , ALABAMA SLIM, MASON CASEY , VAN WILKS , FRED CHAPELLIER ( France's Number one Blues Guitarist ) BILLY PRICE(vocalist for Roy Buchanan) ,JOSE FORS & FORSEPS ( Legendary Mexican Artist/Musician), and others..
NEAL BLACK has always worked with some of the best backing Musicians in the Business ,,On the Road and in the Studio.. His Touring Band is a virtual BLUES ALL Star Line -up with Musicians like ;
JULIAN VAUGHAN( Ex- BB King , Albert King ) VINCENT DAUNE (Ex -Luther Allison, Bernard Allison ) TIM TINDALL ( ex-Bill Perry , Richie Havens ), KRIS JEFFERSON( Ex - Popa Chubby , Hiram Bullock ) ,GIB WHARTON ( ex- Van Morrison , Cassandra Wilson) , MIKE LATTRELL ( ex - Debbie Davies , Buddy Miles ) , CHRIS GARREAU ( Ex - Monster Mike Welch , Paul Personne ) And in The Studio NEAL BLACK has recorded with legendary backing Musicians including ; GERARDO VELEZ (ex- Jimi Hendrix), HARVEY BROOKS (ex- Bob Dylan , Miles Davis ), JON PARIS ( ex-Johnny Winter), JAMES WORMWORTH(ex-Donald Fagen,Johnny Copeland ), JIM CLOUSE & CHUCK FISHER (ex - Blood Sweat & Tears ),LLOYD HERMAN ( ex - Gatemouth Brown , Leon Russell ) MIKE MERRITT ( ex -Hubert Sumlin , Peter Frampton ) ......
NEAL BLACK has performed in 21 countries at major festivals /venues including ; MONTREAL International Jazz fest(Canada), LE BATACLAN ( Paris , France) , WOODSTOCK 20th anniversary(New York), GUADALAJARA Blues (Mexico),NEW MORNING(Paris,France), ANTONE'S (Texas) , MONTREUX Jazz(Switzerland), RIVER BLUES FEST(Philadelphia), BRAGDOYA Blues ( Norway), LONESTAR ROADHOUSE ( N.Y.C) , PUISTOBLUES (Finland) , CASTLEBAR Blues ( Ireland), NEW ORLEANS Music Fest (Germany),CAHORS Blues Fest(France) ISOLA LIRI BLUES FEST (Italy) GASTROBLUES Fest ( Hungary) HELL BLUES Fest (Norway ) JAZZ A VIENNE ( France) ,, and many others...
In the 1980's NEAL BLACK was a regular on the TEXAS BLUES SCENE opening shows for ; STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN , ALBERT KING, FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS, OMAR & THE HOWLERS , JOHNNY COPELAND, GEORGE THOROGOOD , LEON RUSSELL, PAUL BUTTERFIELD , LOU ANN BARTON, RICK DERRINGER , LONNIE MACK, SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET , SAVOY BROWN , THE NIGHTHAWKS, and many , many others ,, Also during this period NEAL BLACK studied music at The Southwest Guitar Conservatory under Jazz greats like ; BARNEY KESSEL , LENNY BREAU, HERB ELLIS and JACKY KING.. On his nights " OFF" NEAL BLACK could be found Jamming at Texas Clubs with Legends like ; AUGIE MEYERS , ROCKY GONZALES & The WESTSIDE HORNS , MARC BENNO , RANDY GARIBAY ..
In the 1990's NEAL BLACK moved to NEW YORK CITY where quickly gained a reputation as a Top Guitarist/ Performer / Songwriter .. NEAL BLACK was a regular not only with his own project " THE HEALERS" but also was seen at many a late night JAM SESSION playing with POPA CHUBBY , JOAN OSBORNE , THE HOLMES BROTHERS , RONNIE EARL , etc .. It was during this period NEAL BLACK signed to DIXIEFROG Records and WARNER BROTHERS Music ,, shortly thereafter following a Successful European Release NEAL BLACK signed with DELUGE/ FLYING FISH Records ..
In 2000, NEAL BLACK headed to MEXICO , where spent almost 3 years touring the " HARD ROCK CAFE "circuit and performing Blues festivals there.. During his time in MEXICO , Neal recorded the Critically acclaimed "DREAMS ARE FOR LOSERS" . He was also a Professor of music at Pan Americana University and collaborated often on stage/Studio with Legendary Mexican/Cuban Artist & Musician , JOSE FORS & his Band FORSEPS...
2004- 2011, NEAL BLACK is currently living in the south of France , performing throughout Europe with his band " NEAL BLACK & THE HEALERS" and working as a Producer/Songwriter /Guitarist for projects with other Artists including, BLUES CONSPIRACY, FRED CHAPELLIER, LEADFOOT RIVET, NICO WAYNE TOUSSAINT , MASON CASEY ,DRINKHOUSE PREACHERS, RANDY H,,

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